Just wondering if anyone has had problems? I have had an array of south bend clutches. Dodge Cummins, Ford power stroke. This has been a first in a tdi. At first it was great. As I have always had good luck with these clutches. But from the get go. It was noisy. No big deal. My Cummins clutch from south bend is noisy. But now its slipping. I have a stage 2 daily. My car has a stage 4 Malone tune, stage 3 kerma/colt cam, and pd 140 turbo. According to my math, and correct me if I'm wrong. This clutch should hold. So I guess my question is. Was it flawed from the word go? South bend claims a super quiet clutch. This thing was anything but quiet. But again I kinda expected that given my history with their clutches. But now I'm wondering. I bought it from kerma. I reached out to them more than once. But haven't got a reply. I get it. No one wants to deal with an unhappy customer. But, am I missing something? Did I buy the wrong clutch?
south bend clutch
- Thread starter s.janks
- Start date
325_Guy
Veteran Member
I have a similar setup to yours, SB stage 2 daily, Malone stage 4 and PD140 turbo, with about 130,000 miles including towing and some pretty spirited driving.
From what I understand, all the recent SB clutches sold are of single-mass flywheel quiet design. Meaning that they don't exhibit the gear rattle that BRM / 0A4 combos exhibit when the stock DMF is replaced with a SMF. You should hear nothing but engine noise.
Something is wrong. What noises are you hearing? Is it possible your transmission is losing fluid that's getting on the friction disk? That was my giveaway when my diff pin ate my original transmission case....I floored it to pass a car and redlined the engine. But even after that, once the oil cleaned up off the clutch parts I was able to reuse the setup and I still have no slip.
From what I understand, all the recent SB clutches sold are of single-mass flywheel quiet design. Meaning that they don't exhibit the gear rattle that BRM / 0A4 combos exhibit when the stock DMF is replaced with a SMF. You should hear nothing but engine noise.
Something is wrong. What noises are you hearing? Is it possible your transmission is losing fluid that's getting on the friction disk? That was my giveaway when my diff pin ate my original transmission case....I floored it to pass a car and redlined the engine. But even after that, once the oil cleaned up off the clutch parts I was able to reuse the setup and I still have no slip.
dieseldonato
Veteran Member
I'm about 50k miles into a stage 2 endurance. No rattles, smooth engagement and a nice light pedal feel. Complete opposite of the heavy twin disk i have in the 12v cummins.
This thing has been noisy since day one. It feels great. Smooth engagement. No jerking. When I put the clutch in, I made sure their was no leaking input shaft seal. But you know how that goes. It's fine till it ain't no more. And I feel like if it was oil. It would be jerky at 1st then slip. But his always been smooth. I was also wondering. Is it possible I got an old clutch. Maybe before quiet technology was introduced? Idk. Thanks for the replys guys.
dieseldonato
Veteran Member
I suppose it may be possible, depending on who you got the clutch from and what/ if the kept them in stock vs drop shipping one.
325_Guy
Veteran Member
What was the part number for your clutch? My quiet clutch is a K70316FHDO, which is what Kerma has currently listed.
And what sound are you hearing? Is it rattling? A scraping sound? Trombones?
I'd also try calling Kerma. People have had good experiences with them here, the couple of times I've sent an email or had a question I got a same day phone call to assist.
And what sound are you hearing? Is it rattling? A scraping sound? Trombones?
I'd also try calling Kerma. People have had good experiences with them here, the couple of times I've sent an email or had a question I got a same day phone call to assist.
It's the common gear rattle. If I push the clutch in and then release back out, the noise almost completely goes away. Like I said before. My dodge cummins does the exact same noise. 325 Guy. That's the same part # I have on my receipt. If I had some other problems such as trouble shifting or the growl u get when a bearing is going bad, I'd think something in the trans is going. But I don't have any of that. I hate it when nothing adds up. Drive ya crazy. Again. Thanks for the replys guys.
325_Guy
Veteran Member
Speculating here, I wonder if you got the wrong friction disk in your set.
I don't know what could have slipped in there and bolted up, but an inferior disk would explain both the gear rattle and your clutch slippage.
Unfortunately, only one way to find out....
I don't know what could have slipped in there and bolted up, but an inferior disk would explain both the gear rattle and your clutch slippage.
Unfortunately, only one way to find out....
Dude. I totally would have never thought of that. Your definitely rite though. Only one way to find out. If I could get confirmation that Kerma would stand behind it, I'd definitely pull it out. But I don't want to be without a car. Maybe I'll reach out again. I just hate to be that guy. Kerma has always been good to me on other products.
Just wondering. Has anybody just went straight to southbend? Cut out the middle man, as it wer.
Just wondering. Has anybody just went straight to southbend? Cut out the middle man, as it wer.
dieseldonato
Veteran Member
Generally speaking, you should be going through an authorized dealer for purchasing. They (south bend) will answer questions, help pick out an appropriate clutch, warranty, etc on the phone/ through email.
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IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
I suggest you contact SBC directly. I've found them both responsive and fair regarding warranty claims. However, you will have to remove the assembly and send it back to them (probably not the flywheel).
You're correct, a Stage 2 daily should easily hold the power you're making and also be quiet. I've run one in my ALH with an 11mm pump a Stage 3+ tune, and larger injectors for over 200K miles. It's quiet and has never slipped.
You're correct, a Stage 2 daily should easily hold the power you're making and also be quiet. I've run one in my ALH with an 11mm pump a Stage 3+ tune, and larger injectors for over 200K miles. It's quiet and has never slipped.